Former Liverpool forward El-Hadji Diouf has praised German boss Jurgen Klopp for his enormous influence on African football as his time with the Reds draws to a conclusion.
After joining Liverpool in 2015, Klopp’s team saw them rise back to the top of Europe’s football leagues. In 2019, they won the Champions League trophy, breaking a 30-year drought for the Premier League championship.
THE SUCCESS OF LIVERPOOL HAS BEEN MAINTENANCED BY AFRICAN PLAYERS.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager has led Liverpool to seven major championships overall.
He will be leaving Anfield after only two more games. According to Diouf, Klopp’s smart acquisitions—especially those from Africa—have been essential to his success.
The Reds’ roster included players like Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joel Matip, and Naby Keita at the height of Klopp’s tenure.
Sakio Mane Gives Credit to Klopp for His Triumph Mane in particular proved to be one of Klopp’s greatest early acquisitions; he joined from Southampton in 2016 and quickly established himself as a vital member of Liverpool’s front line together with Roberto Firmino and Salah.
Even though Mane left Anfield in 2022 to join Bayern Munich following a successful stint, his fellow countryman Diouf has acknowledged Mane’s love for Klopp’s leadership and character. ”
I don’t really know [Klopp] personally, but I’m very close to Sadio Mane, and Sadio tells me that [Klopp] is a great guy,” Diouf stated in an interview with rg.org. “He’s the reason he had a very successful time at Liverpool.”
Speaking further, Diouf emphasized Klopp’s beneficial impact on African athletes, stating, “He’s done great things for most of the African players.”
“In the globe, the Premier League is the greatest. I was fortunate enough to play there, and it would be fantastic for the African game if we could attract a lot of African players today.
During his own tenure at Liverpool from 2002 to 2004, Diouf faced harsh criticism. After helping Senegal go to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, he was signed for a club record amount and emerged as Africa’s Player of the Year.
Diouf couldn’t match the early hype, though, despite scoring twice on his Anfield debut against Southampton. For a big-money deal, he scored a dismal three goals in the league during the 2002–03 season.
Diouf was sent out on loan to Sam Allardyce’s Bolton Wanderers after controversial spitting incidents and disciplinary issues.
A year later, a permanent deal was agreed upon. However, Diouf said he hoped Klopp would have the ideal farewell because he feels he has had a significant influence on African football, even with their strained relationship.
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